Gwendolyn Lambert Smalls is an author, podcast host, and civil rights advocate who states she is a victim of Havana syndrome. She is known for her advocacy following the death of her brother in police custodyOverview of Gwen SmallsAdvocacy: Smalls gained recognition for her work seeking justice for her brother, Linwood Raymond Lambert Jr., who died in police custody in 2013. She and her family settled a civil lawsuit against the South Boston Police Department in 2016.Author: In 2021, she published her autobiographical book, When Shall The Bough Break, which details her brother’s death and her family’s fight for justice.Podcast Host: Smalls hosts the When Shall The Bough Break podcast, where she discusses her brother’s story and her experience with Havana syndrome.Havana Syndrome: Smalls has openly shared her belief that she has been impacted by Havana syndrome. She has posted on social media about experiencing symptoms and discussing the “microwave frequency” she believes is connected to the phenomenonSmalls and Havana syndromeHavana syndrome, also known as Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs), is a set of unexplained health symptoms reported by U.S. government officials, primarily diplomats and intelligence officers, starting in 2016. The syndrome is defined by symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and cognitive difficulties.While many of the affected individuals were posted overseas, some have reported symptoms within the United States. In early 2025, an unclassified intelligence summary indicated that it was “very unlikely” a foreign actor used a weapon to cause the reported illnesses, though it did not challenge the genuine suffering of the victims.Smalls is one of many individuals who have come forward publicly to share their experiences and advocate for greater recognition of the syndrome and its effects.SymptomsThose affected report a range of symptoms, which can be acute (occurring during an event) and chronic.During an incident:Localized pressure or vibration in the head.A perceived loud noise, such as chirping, screeching, or clicking.Pain in the head or ear.Blurred vision or sensitivity to light.Dizziness or vertigo.Long-term and chronic effects:Debilitating headaches and migraines.Cognitive issues, including memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, and brain fog.Hearing loss or persistent tinnitus (ringing in the ears).Balance problems and vertigo.Insomnia and fatigue.Emotional distress, anxiety, and depression.Reported incidents and investigationsInitial cases in Cuba (2016): U.S. personnel at the embassy in Havana were the first to report the mysterious incidents.Global reports: Similar AHIs have since been reported by U.S. government personnel and their families in countries including China, Russia, Austria, Poland, and Colombia, as well as on U.S. soil.Ongoing mystery: The elusive nature of the syndrome and inconsistent symptoms have made the cause difficult to determine. Investigations have been conducted by multiple U.S. agencies, including the CIA and NIH, along with external groups like the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).Intelligence conclusions: In 2023, seven U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that foreign adversary involvement was “very unlikely”. However, this assessment was not unanimous, and a small number of cases remained unexplained.Recent developments: A March 2024 joint media investigation by The Insider, 60 Minutes, and Der Spiegel alleged that Russia’s military intelligence (GRU Unit 29155) may have been involved in developing “non-lethal acoustic weapons,” though the Kremlin denied the report. In January 2025, two U.S. intelligence agencies suggested that a novel weapon from a foreign adversary could be a possibility in a small number of cases, though the overall assessment remains “very unlikely”.Competing theories on the causeDirected energy weapons: This has been a leading hypothesis, with a 2020 NASEM report calling directed, pulsed radiofrequency (RF) energy the “most plausible” explanation for cases in Cuba.Psychological and social factors: Other analyses have suggested mass psychogenic illness, or a collective stress reaction, may explain some reported cases. Affected individuals, however, have strongly rejected this explanation.Normal health conditions: A 2022 CIA interim report suggested most cases could be explained by pre-existing or environmental conditions. A 2024 NIH study also found no detectable brain injury or significant biological abnormalities.Other explanations: Theories involving toxins or malfunctioning equipment were also explored but deemed unlikely. The perceived sounds in Cuba were even identified as the call of the Indies short-tailed cricket by some analyses.Government response and supportThe U.S. government has taken steps to support affected personnel:The HAVANA Act of 2021 authorized financial compensation for government employees with brain injuries from ...
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